189: THOUGHTS FROM A 33 DAY ODYSSEY

 

 photo taken on July 6, 2013
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An odyssey is any long eventful journey, especially when filled with notable experiences. In High School, I enjoyed reading Homer's "The Odyssey". This Greek epic poem describes Odysseus's adventures in his ten-year attempt to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War.

Most importantly, we can read in the scriptures the records of divine "odysseys" by those who have ascended back into the Lord's presence.

All of us have an individual odyssey to complete. All of us are fellow travelers in this world. I am grateful for those who share their experiences from their personal journey. It increases my faith.

 In gratitude, I hope to share a few thoughts over the course of the next several blog posts about a 33 day odyssey which began on June 30, 2013 and ended on August 1, 2013.  It included leaving behind work and home, the computer, emails, blogs, phone.... and even a watch.  It was life changing, it was life renewing, it was divinely orchestrated. The past 33 days included ascending to the highest of peaks, to descending below to the depths of the sea, as well as entering inside into sacred places where heaven meets earth.

Just a side note: the number 33 is significant.. A few things to note about the number 33.  Jesus Christ’s mortal life in the meridian of time was 33 years. The New Testament records Christ performing 33 miracles. The spans of years between Joseph Smith’s death and Brigham Young’s death was 33 years. (1844 to 1877). And in a popular novel, the number 33 was discovered to lead to the essential meaning of life. ("The Lost Symbol.” by Dan Brown)

Yes, all of us in this mortal world are on our individual journey, an odyssey, filled with notable experiences, with high and lows and everything in the middle. May we always take note, and all recognize the hand of the Lord in all things, and His patience and love guiding us on our odyssey back into His presence.